The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, built with Chinese money and named after one of cricket's greatest players, faces a bleak international future following the second Test sandpit shambles.

Abandoned after just 10 balls and 14 minutes of playing time, England and the West Indies will switch to the Antigua Recreation Ground on Sunday in nearby St John's for a hastily-arranged third Test after the outfield here was deemed too dangerous.

The ARG has not hosted international cricket for three years, following the advent of the Viv Richards ground ahead of the 2007 World Cup, one of four venues built with the help of a Chinese government keen to counter the regional influence of Taiwan.

Whether or not the stadium will enjoy a reprieve and welcome future international matches now depends on the International Cricket Council (ICC).

"In terms of the immediate future for the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the venue will now be subject to the start of the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process," said an ICC statement.

"That process was introduced in 2006 to ensure international cricket is played in conditions of a suitably high standard.

"The first stage of the process is for Mr Alan Hurst to submit a report to the ICC concerning the quality of the playing surface.

"Once he does so then the ICC will write to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), forwarding that report and asking for a written report of its own on the condition of the surface including any extenuating circumstances which may have existed."

A judgement will then be made with the ICC having the power to impose a sanction ranging from a warning or a fine up to a suspension of international status for the venue.

Rival skippers Andrew Strauss was batting and Chris Gayle was fielding at first slip when it all started to unravel here on Friday as the outfield crumbled into the sand.

Fast bowler Fidel Edwards could not find stability under his feet, complained, and this led eventually to the abandonment of the Test.

Strauss empathised with the bowler and the West Indies' plight after they chose to field.

"The umpires felt it was unfit, and felt the West Indies' bowlers could not delivery anywhere near full pace with those run-ups in the condition they were.

"If the West Indies' bowlers were struggling to that extent, the likelihood is our bowlers would have struggled the same way."

Strauss acknowledged that England had concerns before the match, but they could not fully exercise their options until the match had actually started.

"Some of our bowlers had a run-out on the outfield, and they said it was pretty hard going," he said.

"But it is one thing having some gentle run-throughs, but it is another thing running in at full throttle in a Test match.

"Clearly, the West Indies bowlers tried to do this, but in the two overs, they had to start their run-up to the wicket four or five times, so it did not look satisfactory, and if you are going to play a Test match, it has to be in conditions that are fair, and if a bowler can only bowl at half pace, that's not fair."

West Indies are leading the Test series 1-0, following their thrilling innings and 23-run victory at Kingston, but Gayle was not prepared for Friday's drama.

"It's embarrassing," he said. "I can only apologise to the spectators. It was left in the umpires' hands, and they were prepared to make the decision.

"I can only support their decision at this time. It was beyond my control. It is difficult in a Test match when bowlers cannot bowl in their comfort zone."